Reel Review Mom

This Saturday, September 20th, Netflix unleashes 28 Years Later, and I’m already making sure my popcorn supply is stocked. Why? Because this isn’t just another zombie flick—this is the long-awaited third installment in one of the best horror franchises ever, following 28 Days Later (2002) and 28 Weeks Later (2007). Twenty-eight years after the original outbreak, the Rage Virus is back to remind us all that maybe quarantined islands aren’t as safe as they seem.

Let’s talk about the cast, because this lineup has me buzzing. One of my all-time favorite actresses, Jodie Comer (yes, total girl crush alert), is front and center, and that alone makes this a must-watch for me. Honestly, if she’s in something, I don’t even need to see a trailer—I’m pressing play. Add in Ralph Fiennes (who I lovingly call “Ralphines” because he’s that good in everything he does), and we’re talking powerhouse performances. Toss in Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jack O’Connell, and even a breakout debut from Alfie Williams, and you’ve got a recipe for top-tier apocalyptic storytelling.

Director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland—the duo who gave us the original 28 Days Later—are back at the helm. That means the raw, gritty, heart-pounding style that defined the franchise’s start is alive and well. Expect bleak beauty, nerve-shredding tension, and infected that feel scarier than ever. If anyone can capture the horror of survival decades after society collapses, it’s these two.

But here’s the kicker—28 Years Later isn’t the end. Nope. The story continues with the already-announced fourth installment, titled 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, slated for release in January 2026. Directed by Nia DaCosta, with Garland still on script duty, the next chapter promises to dig into even darker territory: think cults, twisted human factions, and maybe even new mutations of the Rage Virus. And yes, much of this stellar cast is expected to return, so we won’t be saying goodbye just yet.

So here’s my verdict: 28 Years Later is shaping up to be the rare third movie in a franchise that doesn’t just limp along but charges forward with teeth bared. I’m ready for the scares, the chaos, and the Comer-Fiennes magic. If you need me this Saturday night, you’ll find me on the couch, lights off, blanket pulled tight, screaming and loving every second. 🤓🍿🫣